Russian Ballet Star Vladimir Shklyarov Dies After Falling From 5th Floor Balcony

Ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov from the Mariinsky Ballet performs during a dress rehearsal of "Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux" at the Saddlers Wells theater in London on Oct. 15, 2008. Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images

Vladimir Shklyarov, one of the world’s top male ballet dancers, died on Saturday after falling from the fifth floor of an apartment building balcony. An investigation is underway.

The Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg announced the death of 39-year-old Shklyarov, their highest-ranking dancer, on Saturday. Russian media have reported that federal authorities are investigating the theater.